Too many women are giving birth by caesarean – and some of these operations may be unnecessary, midwives have warned.
Latest figures show that 24 per cent of British babies are born by this procedure – a proportion that remains unchanged.
The NHS Information Centre reveals the growing pressure on NHS maternity departments. In 2007 the number of hospital deliveries increased by 2.9 per cent or nearly 18,000 births.
The NHS said the key change in the new figures is that the time women spend in hospital following a caesarean has reduced – with some 27,000 operations leading to a new mother being kept in hospital for four or more days.
The figures also show that a third of women had an epidural or spinal or general anaesthetic.
NHS Chief Executive Tim Straughan said: “Our figures show the timescale from a woman giving birth to heading home from hospital with their new baby is reducing.
“It is interesting to note the increase in the number of NHS hospital births compared to the decrease in time from the delivery room to discharge.”
But the Royal College of Midwives said the number of caesareans could be reduced through better use of professionals.
General secretary designate Cathy Warwick said: “There is clear evidence that some caesarean sections are unnecessary and put women and babies at risk. Coupled with this the birthrate is rising sharply, and midwife numbers are failing to keep pace, leaving them little time antenatally to discuss the birth and the available options with women.
“We believe that caesarean section rates can be lower when midwives have time to counsel and advise women about their choices and the risks involved and when one-to-one care in labour is possible.
“More midwives will mean better quality of care, a better birth experience and I hope, more normal births for women.”
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